More money may be appropriated for DTV converter box coupons, says Markey

January 1, 2009

Congress may need to take quick action to pass additional funding to pay for additional DTV converter box coupons, Congressman Ed Markey (D-MA) said last week.

In a statement on the congressman’s Web site responding to information supplied by the Federal Communications Commission and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding the progress of the DTV transition, Markey expresses concern over the coupon program.

“The expected surge in consumer demand for converter box coupons is occurring and the fact that NTIA now projects it will have to delay or possibly deny the issuance of converter box coupons to consumers without additional funding is of great concern,” Markey, chairman of the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee, said in the Web posting.

Congress may have to appropriate more funds for the converter box coupon program early in January to head off any delay, he said.